ambassador to libya who was attacked and killed in the dead of night in benghazi two weeks ago, he extolled the humanity and hope stevens stood for. >> we are serious about the ideals and must reaffirm our future will be determined by people like chris stevens and not by his killers. >> reporter: but in many ways, the president's speech seemed targeted at his dough met tick audience. accused by republicans of glibly downplaying the unrest in the muslim world, the president demanded an end to the violence. >> there is no speech that justifies mindless violence. there are no words that excuse the killing of innocents. >> reporter: and while only days ago the white house was asking youtube to review whether the anti-muslim film violated the terms of use, the president offered a full-throated defense of freedom of speech. >> like me, the majority of americans are christian, yet we do not ban blaspheme against our sacred beliefs. >> that was a cal to stop those who fan the flames against the wealth and the allies. >> it is time to marginalize those who use hatred of america or the west or israel